Star Trek Beyond's Zoe Saldana Goes Gluten-free to Battle Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Celiac.com 08/25/2016 - Star Trek and Beyond star Zoe Saldana recently revealed that she has been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis attacks and destroys the thyroid cells, and is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S. Signs and symptoms of Hashimoto's disease include constipation, fatigue, sluggishness, depression, muscle weakness, pain and stiffness in the joints, unexplained weight gain, and a hoarse voice.

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It is very important for people with Hashimoto's to avoid gluten completely to prevent thyroid damage. As a result, Saldana and husband Marco Perego have both eliminated gluten and dairy from their diets.

Several studies actually link Hashimoto's disease and gluten intolerance, including a 2003 study published in the journal Hepato-Gastroenterology.

Zoe Saldana's gluten-free diet includes lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, in addition to gluten-free grains and some high protein foods like eggs and avocados. Zoe's favorites include lentil salad with vegetables, a turkey burger with green vegetables and a baked yam, or a buckwheat noodle salad with chicken and vegetables.